The clip that started it all
Comedian Pranit More has found himself at the centre of a massive online storm after a crowdwork video from his stand-up set went viral for all the wrong reasons. In the now-deleted clip, an audience member named Himanshu Jangra, 22, from Gurugram, shared a story about a date where he paid Rs 370 for chicken biryani for a girl and then claimed he deserved ‘something in return,’ hinting at physical intimacy. His exact words, as heard in the video: ‘Maine kaha ki Rs 370 lage hain to use to wasool to karunga hi.’ He acted genuinely surprised when the girl simply wanted him to drop her home afterward.
The crowd laughed. Pranit laughed too. And that’s where the trouble began. The clip exploded across Instagram, X, and Reddit, with netizens calling out both Himanshu’s entitled attitude and Pranit for not challenging the remark on stage. Influencers like Kusha Kapila and Dolly Singh were among those who slammed the exchange, questioning why a comedian would amplify such a problematic comment without any pushback. The outrage was swift and brutal, with many arguing that laughing along normalises the toxic idea that spending money on a date entitles you to something in return.
Apology and fallout
As the backlash grew louder, Pranit More posted an apology on Instagram, writing, ‘The comments made by the audience member do not reflect my views. Looking back, I should have challenged the remark instead of laughing and moving on. That was a lapse in judgment on my part.’ But the damage was done. Shortly after, he deactivated his Instagram account. If you try to find his profile now, it’s gone — zero followers, zero posts, completely wiped.
Critics, however, aren’t ready to let it go. Many are asking why he put the clip up in the first place if he disagreed with it. They argue that comedians have a responsibility during crowdwork, especially when audience remarks cross a line. The debate over where comedy ends and accountability begins is back in full force. Should comedians call out problematic comments live? Is it okay to post them for views? Pranit’s own apology admits he missed a chance to draw a line, but for many, that’s not enough.
Real-world consequences
Himanshu Jangra didn’t escape the storm either. After the video went viral, he faced a wave of criticism and trolling. He apologised and quit social media too. But that didn’t save his job. His company in Gurugram fired him after the ‘Rs 370 ki biryani’ controversy. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly online outrage can spill into real life, costing people their livelihoods.
This isn’t just about one video. It’s a larger conversation about the culture of entitlement, the role of comedians in shaping public discourse, and the fine line between humour and harm. With Pranit’s Instagram gone and Himanshu out of a job, the discussion is far from over. Stay tuned to Cinecrazy for more updates on this developing story.